NEW DELHI: Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State President Aman Arora has lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Centre’s announcement of a ₹1,600 crore relief package for flood-hit Punjab, calling it a “cruel joke” on a state that has suffered losses exceeding ₹20,000 crore.
“The Prime Minister came, saw, and offered a pittance,” Arora said, accusing the BJP-led central government of “blatant disregard for the plight of Punjabis.” He argued that the token amount was an “insult, not aid” for lakhs of people whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated.
Punjab’s Demands vs Centre’s Package
Arora highlighted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s government has repeatedly demanded the release of ₹60,000 crore in stalled central funds, in addition to a ₹20,000 crore relief package specifically for flood recovery. Instead, he said, the Centre’s token announcement mocks the scale of destruction.
“The soul of Punjab, our agriculture, has been shattered,” said Arora, noting that 4.80 lakh acres of farmland have been affected, including 3.71 lakh acres of submerged paddy fields—just weeks away from harvest. “Our farmers have lost an entire season’s income, with no chance of resowing,” he added.
Worst Floods in Decades
According to official figures, the floods—the worst since 1988—have claimed 52 lives and directly impacted nearly 4 lakh people across more than 2,000 villages. Homes, crops, and livestock have been destroyed, leaving families in dire straits.
Punjab’s Contribution Ignored
Drawing a sharp contrast between Punjab’s historical role and the Centre’s response, Arora said:
“From the freedom struggle to feeding the nation, Punjab has always been the nation’s sword and shield. Our farmers ensured India’s food security, and our youth defended its borders. Yet today, when our land is submerged and our people are suffering, the Centre has turned dismissive.”
Call for Reassessment
Arora demanded that the central government urgently reassess the damage with honesty and responsibility and announce a comprehensive relief package that reflects both the magnitude of the disaster and Punjab’s contributions to the country.
